I tend to change my style depending on the class majority. I try to get a read on the class personality. I mix up my styles at first to determine what works for each class. I would like to become more familiar with how to assess learning types, so I can make sure I am incorporating something for everyone.
I currently do utilize our instructor feedback for ways to make improvements in reaching out to students. I do look at other instructors and their methods. I have been teaching in the technical college arena now for 5 years, and during those years I have continually looked at refining teaching styles and have gone through many methodology courses
I agree.I also like to conduct a survey to find out how my students liked my instruction style. This will assist me to find out how the students percieved the instructional method and accept the positive critisims.
Hi Mary,
This is a great way to keep your license current as well as your skills in teaching. This is a win win for both your students and yourself.
Gary
I'm new to teaching, but my field requires that I take continuing education to retain my license. So I have ample opportunity to watch how other instructors encourage class involvement and make learning fun and interesting. Learning how to utilize new technologies to aid in teaching is pretty interesting, too.
I believe in modeling the style that was most helpful to me. Demonstrating the roles of model, manager and motivator in a blended fluid manner will help me to grow and refine my ability to convey the infomation and enhance the students learning experience.
My style is total about each person at one point or another;s type of learning .I try to reach each one on a dailey basis when ever I lecture.
Hi Rhonda,
I think your instructional style will be defined much more by your personality than your blindness. Let your personality shine through and respect and rapport with be forth coming from your students. Yes, there are certain things that will do that are different from sighted instructors but with the wide variety of technology available today you are going to be every efficient in your efforts. I am a consultant to the state Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired and as a result get to work with many great professionals that are very successful in their careers as I know you will be.
Gary
Hi Lisa,
Good points about how to develop as an instructor. You have developed a very comprehensive approach to your instructional delivery with maximum student input. Well done.
Gary
I would far rather be a guide on the side than sage on the stage of any classroom. I plan to improve and further develop my instructional style by learning from other instructors., My plan includes continuing study on the subject from articles, seminars, and classes. I also plan to learn from students, and should be able to refine my style a techniques as the quarters progress. The good thing is that rehearsal for the perfect style is built in, as each day one gets an opportunity to practice and implement original and new ideas and concepts. I am currently wondering how much of my instructional style will be defined by my blindness. Of course, I will have to do some things differently from sighted instructors!
I had a grad school professor who once told me that teaching is no longer about being the sage from the stage, but the guide from the side. I have used that advice as the cornerstone of my instructional style. I believe in student-centered learning through active participation and active learning. My lectures are no longer than 20 minutes and are followed up with small group activities that reinforce the concepts from the lecture. We then meet as a large group and to discuss the our understanding of the concepts as a class.
I will say that I fell into the trap of being a "pal" the first year I taught and had to learn the hard way that it just doesn't serve either the instructor or the student.
I agree with you, Louis. I put a lot of stock in student feedback. I think it's really important to remember what needs to be "taught" but as instructors, we need to be able to deliver the material in ways that the students will retain and respond to.
I tend to rely a lot on lecture and discussion but I also bring in current articles, movie clips, news stories, etc. I have always had relatively small classes so this has worked well. I have much larger class sizes coming up and know that I will have to incorporate more varied methods of delivery like group activities.
The instructional style is the personality if the instructor. If you have an instructor truly enjoys what he or she is teaching, it will be easy for them. Having an instructor that is organized but yet charismatic and explains the topics in a down to earth manor will have students engaged. Getting the students involved with.
If you care about the class and the students, the students will care about the class and about them selves.
I appreciate the suggestions. As I said, my greatest challenge may well be to make hands-on activities "work" for the students. Careful selection and then practice will, I am sure help.
Hi Steve,
You will do find with this area of instruction if you practice the "hands-on" activity a few times. If something happens during the demonstration use humor to move through the problem and the students will appreciate it. The key is to be deliberate in your delivery, make sure everyone can see and stop frequently for questions and your demonstration will go fine.
Gary
I have experience and am comfortable with a mini-lecture and discussion format. I enjoy using power point. I anticipate weakness in developing "hands-on" experiences for the students and want to enhance that aspect of my preparation/presentation.
I, like Louis, read closely the student surveys. It provides me a student perspective on my teaching style and techniques. I look objectively at what the students are saying, and this provides me an outline on the adjustments, if any, I need to make to be a more effective instructor.
Hi Angelo,
This is what education is all about. Keeping current so you can offer the latest from your field is a professional commitment that is to be admired.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Kari,
This is a good point. You support and mentor and do what you can do. The students will appreciate this will inspire them to work harder in the classroom while pushing some of the baggage into the background if only for a while.
Gary
